Case of asbestosis with massive benign pleural involvement
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007.
Meditsina Truda I Promyshlennaia Ekologiia. 2007;(4):35-9. [Link]
Liubchenko PN, Viatkina EI, Dubrova SE.
Abstract
The article contains a case of asbestosis in woman aged 65 and long exposed to asbestos at work. X-ray signs proved asbestosis of lungs. Nodular masses in pleura revealed on pulmonary CT scans were considered as malignant mesothelioma. For diagnosis verification, videothoracoscopy with target biopsy of the nodes was performed. Histologic diagnosis - fragments of dense fibrous connective tissue. Final diagnosis: Asbestosis, s/s, p/p, 2/2. Pleural asbestosis. The authors stress importance of contemporary diagnostic techniques in occupational pathology.
Glossary
- pleura
- (pler-uh) the membrane around the lungs and lining of the chest cavity. (Pleural mesothelioma.)
- diagnosis
- identifying a disease by its signs or symptoms, and by using imaging procedures and laboratory findings. The earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better the chance for long-term survival.
- biopsy
- (buy-op-see) the removal of a sample of tissue to see whether cancer cells are present. There are several kinds of biopsies. In some, a very thin needle is used to draw fluid and cells from a lump. In a core biopsy, a larger needle is used to remove more tissue.
- tissue
- a collection of cells, united to perform a particular function.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
